Friday, December 23, 2016

Christmas at FreeThinke's fireside

.~.~.~.Yes Santa Exists.~.~.~.

Yes, dear children, Santa Claus is real,
Even though so many don't agree.
Santa lives wherever people feel
Sweet and kind in all sincerity,
And show their love with understanding gifts,
Not gaudy, foolish, merely costly things.
The gift of Recognition often lifts
A sagging spirit high, and lends it wings.
Elves aplenty fashion tokens bright, as
Xanadu excursions, jewels and such.
If connected well, these brings delight. As
Substitutes for love, they're not worth much.
The more we spend, sometimes, the less we give.
Santa comes to hearts that love to live.

This goblets were a great find. They appeared ten years ago at TJ Maxx for $2.00 apiece!

The china is antique, hand-painted Royal Worcester and it's irreplaceable. We dare not put it in the dishwasher, so it is used only on "ceremonial" occasions. It's been part of every family Christmas celebration since long before I was born. A foolish thing, perhaps, but I will cherish it till the day I die.

FT, I know about china treasures brought out only for special occasions.

My paternal grandmother (born circa 1880) specifically willed to me her Bavarian china -- service for 12. Even as a toddler, I admired that china in the three-cornered cupboard, so Grandma knew that I'd appreciate the treasure passed along to me.

Grandma used this as her everyday china. Can you believe it? I'd never even consider using this Bavarian china for every day.

Grandma's family was a large one, of the type that people had back in those days. Some eight children at one point.

Many pieces were broken, of course -- especially the teacups and cereal bowls. We're down to only four of the former and one of the latter. But all the dinner plates survived.

I know all about "irreplaceable." I've had no luck replacing any of the pieces. The pattern was a very limited one to start with, so replacement pieces run in at least the high 3 figures.

Once in a while, even if the occasion isn't ceremonial, I'll bring out one of the china pieces to use for breakfast. Gives my whole day a lift!

Thanks, Kid. I am blest to be able to live so well, but I worked hard for it for over half a century. Not so I could "show off," but because I treasure everything that reminds me of my family and a few beloved friends, and wanted to preserve as much of what they gave me as I possibly could. I see it as a way of honoring them and keeping their spirits alive as I enter old age and begin the journey all must make towards Eternity where I hope I may meet them all again in an atmosphere of peace, harmony and mutual appreciation.

I ADDRESS the FOLLOWING PARODY to the MANY WHO HAVE DEPOSITED GRATUITOUSLY HATEFUL, BELLIGERENT, WANTONLY DISRESPECTFUL and INANE MESSAGES HERE ALL of WHICH HAVE BEEN REMOVED and DEPOSITED in the TRASH WHERE THEY BELONG:

Drone on, all ye HatefulDoleful and indignantDrone on, and imbibe the Cup of Bitterness.Go on, IGNORE HIM, born the King of Angels

Merry Christmas to one of my favorite people I have never met! I have been remiss in my responses this year, though, I do think of you often. Your home is lovely. Your blog is like home to me. God Bless you and keep you!

I understand. To have a moral pig follow our decent and dignified First Family is nauseating. We have the "Christian" evangelicals to thank for discarding their values for power. They are as morally corrupt as Trump.

We can take pride in knowing that President Obama had a scandal-free administration and conducted his private and public life with honor.

And we can only watch in horror as a Pussy-grabber defiles the People's House.

Blessed is the man who walketh not in counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful ... For the ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. ...

Gratuitous Displays of Extraneous Knowledge Offered Not To Shed Light Or Enhance the Discussion, But For The Primary Purpose Of Giving An Impression Of Superiority are obnoxiously SELF-AGGRANDIZING, and therefore, Subject to Removal at the Discretion of the Censor-in-Residence.